Power Inverter Installed In Expy!
#1
Power Inverter Installed In Expy!
I did it a lil different this time!
Since I'm going through withdrawals from not having my truck to drill holes on, I couldn't help myself and finally took the drill to the Expy.
Had this 750 watt power invert for years now and used it the other day to plug in my camcorder. That was when I started to get ideas on where to add receptacles in the expy.
So I removed the receptacles and got them ready to install behind the expy's center console.
Then I added an electrical wire clamp to secure my 12-2 wire for the receptacles.
Then I soldered the 12-2 wire where I had clipped off the receptacles.
Then I took my old cell phone's charges and clipped the ends to use the wires as extentions for the "power on" "over load" led lights.
And clipped off the green and red leds.
And soldered them where the green and red led used to be.
Then taped all the exposed wires to prevent a short.
Closed it up.
And was ready to install the leads to the override switch, to relay, to 40 amp fuse then finally to the battery.
I was then ready to start installing the inverter under the center console.
Here is where I was smiling from ear to ear, "DRILLING HOLES ONCE AGAIN!!!"
And installed the receptacles.
bridging one receptacle to the next.
and finally putting it back together.
Since I'm going through withdrawals from not having my truck to drill holes on, I couldn't help myself and finally took the drill to the Expy.
Had this 750 watt power invert for years now and used it the other day to plug in my camcorder. That was when I started to get ideas on where to add receptacles in the expy.
So I removed the receptacles and got them ready to install behind the expy's center console.
Then I added an electrical wire clamp to secure my 12-2 wire for the receptacles.
Then I soldered the 12-2 wire where I had clipped off the receptacles.
Then I took my old cell phone's charges and clipped the ends to use the wires as extentions for the "power on" "over load" led lights.
And clipped off the green and red leds.
And soldered them where the green and red led used to be.
Then taped all the exposed wires to prevent a short.
Closed it up.
And was ready to install the leads to the override switch, to relay, to 40 amp fuse then finally to the battery.
I was then ready to start installing the inverter under the center console.
Here is where I was smiling from ear to ear, "DRILLING HOLES ONCE AGAIN!!!"
And installed the receptacles.
bridging one receptacle to the next.
and finally putting it back together.
Last edited by OGTerror; 12-28-2010 at 11:12 AM.
#7
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#9
#10
Thankz!
Actually she was all for the idea, haven't gotten ourselves to purchase a car charger for her cell phone. Now that the DC power has been installed she doesn't have worry that her cell phone will run out of charge.
Actually she was all for the idea, haven't gotten ourselves to purchase a car charger for her cell phone. Now that the DC power has been installed she doesn't have worry that her cell phone will run out of charge.
#11
http://www.amazon.com/Cobra-CPI-880-...d_bxgy_e_img_a
#12
Nice but, distance to battery ? You need this in order to determine wire gauge, - a safe one anyway. I read thru and don't see any numbers. Hate for you (or someone)to accidentally leave it on ,then burn your truck up lol. No, that wouldn't be that funny. I run an inverter as well, even at the proper gauge per distance, they can still heat up (the cable or wires.) Don't trust the relay alone.
Might wanna check that.
Happy New Year
Might wanna check that.
Happy New Year
#15
That's cool what you did on the AC side. Yea you can do pretty much whatever with the recepticals.
Inverters shouldn't be confined, unless you have ventilation moving thru, like a return and exhaust (fan). Yours has that big finned aluminum housing, so it may not require a fan for cooling, but it should be out in the open somewhat, - so the heat can escape anyway.
I ended up mounting mine on the passenger side up high on the floorboard and against the firewall.
__________________________________________________ _________________________________________
That install was going by the Cobra manual. I got it in front of me, - so I get it right lol.
Specs for this one are 500 watt continuous/ 1000 watt peak.
There's a chart here -
Test Load Power --------------Minimum Cable Size
-----100w---------------------#16 AWG Copper
-----250w---------------------#12 AWG Copper
-----500w----------------------#8 AWG Copper
-----750w----------------------#4 AWG Copper
Four foot of #4 AWG was included with this unit at purchase.
Like I said, that's by the manual with this one, - but still, 10 gauge and not knowing the distance to the battery, is a little scary.
Here's a few links to reference as well -
https://www.f150online.com/forums/19...right-way.html
http://www.donrowe.com/inverters/inv...aq.html#hookup
Last edited by jbrew; 01-01-2011 at 03:05 PM. Reason: Added Links for Ref.